By JOHN CHUBB
@JohnCphoenixfm
East Thurrock United moved up to fourth place in the Isthmian Premier League as a late Frankie Merrifield goal clinched a 2-1 victory against Brightlingsea Regent at Rookery Hill.
The striker had earlier given Rocks the lead from the penalty spot with 36 minutes gone, before Regent’s Jake Turner levelled in the 80th minute.
But Merrifield grabbed an injury time winner to give John Coventry’s men their fourth home victory of 2019/20 in the league to date.
In the Isthmian North Coggeshall Town suffered their first league reversal of the season when they lost 3-2 away to Cambridge City, after being 2-0 up with less than half an hour to go.
The Seed Growers were awarded a 33rd minute penalty when Michael Gyasi was fouled in the box, and Connor Hubble slotted home the resulting spot-kick.
Chris Regis then put them two goals ahead in the 55th minute before Jordan Gent pulled one back for Cambridge 11 minute later.
Then an Adam Watkins penalty 10 minutes from time and an injury time winner from Arel Amu sealed a remarkable turnaround for the hosts and gave them all three points.
Coggeshall are now fourth in the table.
Just behind them in fifth spot are Great Wakering Rovers who achieved their fourth league win of the season as they beat Witham Town 2-0 at Burroughs Park, thanks a goal in each half from Alfie Hilton.
The other all-Essex affair in the North Division took place at Chadfields, where Tilbury played host to Hullbridge Sports and the honours were shared in a six-goal thriller.
Ollie Sotoyinbo scored from the spot for the away side in the 22nd minute after a foul on Matt Baxter in the box.
But Brian Moses levelled for the Dockers with 32 minutes gone to make it 1-1 at the break.
The home side were then in front several minutes after the restart as George Whitby put the ball into his own net, before Moses headed home four minutes later to make it 3-1.
But Hullbridge didn’t let their heads drop and fought back to gain a point, thanks to goals from Yemi Ogunfunmilade on 72 minutes and Joe Wright 10 minutes from time.
And Aveley were celebrating after bagging their first home league victory of the season as they got the better of Histon at Parkside.
Histon were 2-0 to the good courtesy of goals from Danny Gould and Max York, before Harry Gibbs pulled one back just before the interval.
Then in the second half the Millers pulled off a 3-2 victory thanks to a brace from Reggie Hubbard.
In the South Central Division Harlow Town are back up to fifth place following a 2-1 win over Hertford Town at the Harlow Arena.
Kouadio Ehui put Hertford in front after 17 minutes but second half goals from Terrell Egbri and Matt Rush gave the Hawks victory.
And Barking were celebrating after picking up their first league win of 2019/20, one which took them up to 14th place in the table as they triumphed 2-1 away to FC Romania.
Dumitru Gritcan put Romania in front after 16 minutes but the Blues fought back with goals from Abs Seymour and Dixon Michael to gain all three points.
